Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park offers a number of different areas for visitors to enjoy. Sand Harbor is the most popular, with sandy beaches, a boat launch, picnicking and group use facilities. Sand Harbor is located three miles south of Incline Village on State Route 28. Memorial Point and Hidden Beach, Situated between Incline Village and Sand Harbor, are areas which offer outstanding views of the lake and more secluded access to its shores. Spooner Lake, at the intersection of State Route 28 and U.S. 50, is popular for picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, catch-and-release fishing and cross-country skiing . A group use area is available as well as rental cabins . Spooner Lake is also a trail head with access to the back country. The back country between Lake Tahoe and Carson City provides miles of hiking, equestrian and Mountain biking trails plus two primitive campsites. No vehicles are permitted in the back country, which has been designated as a State Primitive Area. Two of the more popular trails in this area are the Flume Trail above Sand Harbor and the Tahoe Rim Trail along the crest of the Carson Range. Cave Rock, located along U.S. 50 near Zephyr Cove, is a popular spot for boat launching and fishing. During July and August enjoy the shows put on by the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor.

Hidden Beach: The narrow sands and large granite boulders of Hidden Beach are popular with local sunbathers and swimmers. Located two miles north of Sand Harbor, Hidden Beach has no parking lot, and roadside parking in the vicinity is very limited. There are no facilities available.

Boating

The boat launch includes two wave protected double ramps with docks and adjacent parking. Parking fills to capacity early on summer weekends.

Fishing

Spooner Lake is a catch and release only fishery, stocked annually with trout. Swimming is not recommended due to the abundance of harmless yet pesky leeches in the lake.

Developed picnic sites are spread throughout the Jeffrey pines and white firs that shade the bluff above Spooner Lake.

Trails

The short (1/3 mile) Sand Point Nature Trail is a handicap accessible trail with interpretive signs and breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe. Group Area/Ramada

A group use area set on a pine-dotted, rocky point accommodates groups of up to 100 people. The covered facility is equipped with electricity, water and tables and includes a large barbecue. Use is by reservation only.

An easy 2-mile trail circles Spooner Lake. Osprey, waterfowl, and other wildlife are abundant, as are meadow and forest wildflowers. Interpretive displays provide information along the trail.

Area Attractions

Marlette/Hobart Backcountry:

The backcountry portion of the park spans some 13,000 acres within the Carson Range, stretching north from Spooner Lake to Incline Village. Miles of trail winding through cool pine forests and across sun-drenched granite outcrops offer exceptional opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Some of the more popular activities in the backcountry are mountain biking along the Flume Trail, perched high above Lake Tahoe, fishing at Hobart Lake, and hiking on the scenic Tahoe Rim Trail, which offers spectacular lake and valley views. Hike-in, primitive camping is available at a site on the slope of Marlette Peak and along the North Canyon Trail.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

June 7Should be ashamed of yourselves ! by SMonk

You killed a 2 year old bear, because of the humans stupidity. It should have been tranquilized and moved from the area. We are in their natural habitat, they arent in ours...You are killers in my estimation .....

February 22Cutting switch backs by Lee

I see trail damage on tunnel creek due to people cutting across the switch backs. Why not put up signs at these points ?